Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas is over and it's time to think ahead to Valentine's Day! I took advantage of some great sales on Black Friday and added to my collection of Penny Black stamps. This main image is a woodblock stamp called "Joyride". The sun is adapted from a flower included in a transparent set "Mimi's Many Loves", as is the sentiment.
Same stamps,different colors! I like the 70's look!

Hope everyone had wonderful holidays! All that's left is to take down the tree and store everything up in the attic for another year.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

We had a wonderful visit with Michael, his parents Kim and Jim, and his sister Britany on Christmas Eve! Cooper was a bit shy but he and Michael got along very well! Britany has put her life as an elementary school teacher on hold and since June has been with Michael first at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland and now in a small apartment on the Hospital grounds. Michael is mastering his prostheses and has amazed his therapists with his rapid progress. Michael is upbeat, very comfortable with his new body, and determined to live life to the fullest. He said he refuses to give the enemy any more of him than they already took! He has gone hunting, sky-diving, competed in a hand cycle marathon and is driving his new truck with hand controls! He has been given a beautiful German Shepherd assist dog named Rocky who will learn to help Michael as needed.

Cooper was bonding with Michael, but didn't have much to do with the rest of the company! He's still learning that the world is a big place filled with people!

Larry and I ended Christmas Eve at the 7:00 pm service at our church where we had the privilege of hearing "O Holy Night" sung by a young lady who is destined for musical greatness! It is the voice God will give me when I get to Heaven some day! As for today, the turkey is in the oven and we will enjoy our Christmas feast, thankful for friends and family and looking forward to the New Year.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

I am happy to share with all of you that may wonder how my grand nephew Michael is doing, that he is home for the holidays in Georgia!! This is a photo of him with a hometown friend taken at the reception held for him at the high school. Michael is doing very well, perfecting his stride on prosthetic legs. It is amazing all that he has accomplished in the six months since losing his legs in Afghanistan.

Michael is an inspiration to any who meet him, including other service people being treated at Bethesda Naval Hospital. His sister, Britany, has put her life on hold and lives with him in a small apartment at the hospital. Michael has been honored by Team EXTREME, a group of extreme athletes that choose a wounded warrior to honor at their various events.

We are to have the privilege of a visit from Michael and his family over the holidays and will break bread together and rejoice in the miracle of his survival and continuing progress. Life is good!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Here he is, fresh from the groomer's! Sometimes I wonder why we thought an all white dog was a good idea!

Cooper is so much a part of our family! We laugh at his antics (I think he is part cat!) and have fun tossing his "froggie" (Cooper-speak for any one of his toys). He runs like the wind at the park and has successfully kept all bad guys away from our house!

Here's Cooper's formal Christmas photo! He is happily adjusted to his new home with us and has brought so much fun and laughter into our lives!! I have had to lower the housekeeping standards a bit, and have been unsuccessful in teaching Cooper to pick up his toys!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

This Classic Tea Flower stamp is one of the new releases in the Hero Arts 2012 Catalog. I loved it from the instant I first saw it being used by Jennifer McGuire.

I colored the flower with Copics, and over-stamped it with Hero Arts' Envelope Pattern background stamp. The Envelope Pattern softens the white background without my risking disaster by using DistressInks for that distressed look! I have ruined many an image by poor application of Distress Inks!

I am entering this card in the December Hero Arts Challenge, following one of the sketches provided. The sketch is a simple one, allowing this flower to have center stage!

Hope everyone is on track for finishing their holiday projects. I did my shopping online this year and it's all being shipped as we speak. We don't exchange gifts, but I always end up sending something to each of the adult kids, and always the grandkids!!We are enjoying temperatures in the high sixties and yesterday the temp reached seventy-one!! Great golfing weather for my DH! I haven't told the Wisconsin and Minnesota kids about our mild weather. Don't want to sound like I'm gloating!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Merry Christmas! I finally took the time to play with my new Hero Arts/Sizzix reindeer set. I wanted bold colors and texture! Love how easy it is to use the die cuts included in this set.

The house is a Hero Arts cling stamp from last year I tried to make it look delicious! Lots of glitter glue on this card which doesn't show up in the photo. Sorry for the tilt; it was so windy outside!

This is the first card I made using the Reinder set by Hero Arts. I had difficulty taking a decent photo using artificial light but when I went to get the card to take it outside for a new photo, I couldn't find it .... anywhere!!

I hope everyone is enjoying the pre-holidays! We have been out of the Christmas spirit since Thursday. Can you say nasty stomach bug? This is a virus that could be used as a secret weapon!!

Cooper thinks the ornaments on our tree are for his eating enjoyment. I really think he is part kitten. He's been with us for a little over two months and we cannot remember life without him. He has stolen our hearts for sure! Ornament-eating and all.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

My blogging friend and Hero Hostess colleague, Virginia Lu, will soon be celebrating her 50th birthday! This card is to wish her a happy birthday and to let her know that her amazing work makes my heart sing!

Happy 50th, Virginia! I know Dr. John and the kids will make sure you have the perfect birthday. Hugs!!

Friday, December 2, 2011

This image is a Hero Arts stamp called "Winter Scene". I colored it using my new Distress Stains. They are so fun to use!

This is a stamp that was part of a prize package I won from Hero Arts in a Blinkie contest. That large tree is supposed to be standing straight, but the rubber on my stamp has been placed crookedly!! Took me awhile and a few stamped images to finally figure that out!

I see this stamp as being very versatile! Not just for Christmas cards, but masculine cards, too. And changing colors can make it a totally different card.

The change in colors makes this more an Autumn scene. Love those stains! I only bought five, and now I think I need them all. Santa, are you listening?

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

No, it's not a photo of our new dog, Cooper, but it's the next best thing: snowpeople!

This is a Penny Johnson stamp that has become one of my favorites! I learned today that if your mojo has disappeared, just sit at your desk with the happiest stamps you have, turn on some great background music, pet the dog for a bit and start stamping!! It worked for me! I'm entering into the CAS-ual Fridays sketch challenge that closes tonight!

This is a Penny black stamp called "Snowy", another image that brings a smile every time! He's colored with copics and loaded with Stickles!

Now I have a total of four cards made for Christmas!! Every journey begins with those first steps!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I am thankful for the comments you leave and I am thankful for all of you!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

I discovered a stamp company that I hadn't known about called Skipping Stone Designs. This set called "Uplifting" caught my eye because of the hot air balloons and the assortment of sentiments that came with the set.
I'm entering this "Across the Miles" card in this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge to use the posted sketch. I love "sketch" challenges! Half the work of designing a card is done for you.

I paper-pieced the hill, colored the images wtih Copics, used a Die-Namics die to make the clouds and stitched the layers together. I'm not sure this is CAS enough, but it was a fun card to make and it's one I will be sending out.

We had a great Thanksgiving in Atlanta with the grandkids! Cooper went along but unfortunately my granddog Spencer was not in the mood for dog company!! Cooper was mystified as he thought a doggy friend was a great idea!!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

So much time has passed since I last stamped and blogged! I have been worried that my stamping urge was gone permanently. My stamping friend, Donna Mikasa said I should start by coloring, as coloring can be so therapeutic.

Well, I tried that yesterday and nothing good happened! Which only worried me more!

This afternoon I checked the Penny Black blog to see what this week's challenge was and decided I would try to make a card using my favorite Penny Black stamp.

Now, to be honest, these penguins are my favorites today; don't know that we have a lifelong commitment going. I love the simplicity of the image and the ease of coloring these cute little guys.

I am hoping that the first card is the hardest and that it marks the start of a rush of creativity.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

It has been awhile since I have posted to my blog! And it has been awhile since I stamped! I am missing my creative outlet and all of you. Hopefully November will bring with it a return to our "normal" routine! I am hopeful that when I put a stamp to ink and paper the magic will happen again! My craft room is too tidy; cobwebs are forming! Please, brain, return to creative mode! Hugs, Judy

Thursday, September 29, 2011

This is our new dog Cooper letting us know he would like to come in, please! He is peeking into the kitchen! Who could resist a look like this??Cooper believes he is invisible whlle snoozing under our bed!!

Thanks for dropping by! We fly out to Phoenix tomorrow morning. Haven't told Cooper yet! He is staying with my sister and will be well-cared for!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Just wanted to share my Halloween scrapling made with the Hero Arts Japanese doll. Love her punched witch's hat!

I'm a day late, but I checked on the Lily Pad Cards blog today and discovered that I was one of the Frogging Fantastic Four winners in the latest Kathy's color challenge. This is the card that did it:

Just a note: I will be in Arizona until October 10th and will not be crafting or blogging. We will be visiting my sister in law, Shar, who has been fighting pancreatic cancer this past year. We want to spend some time with her and my husband's brother, remembering the laughs and tears we shared as we RV'd together for years before we settled down, each of us in an "A" state!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Look who joined our family! This is Cooper, a Bichon-Poodle mix I found on PetFinder.com. I wasn't seriously thinking about adopting; "just looking". We had a white poodle in the early years of our marriage that lived to be 19. Since we were both working we didn't feel it was a good time to get another dog that would be home alone all day. Although I hadn't completely decided to add a dog to our family, one look at his photo and I was hooked!

He was in a rescue-sponsored foster home two hours north of us near Nashville, Tennessee. After a month of applications, references, interviews with other families, hopes up, hopes down, the decision was made yesterday that he belonged in a nice quiet home like ours.

He is very shy right now and wondering what happened to all the other dogs he's used to! He has a sweet personality and once he gets used to us, will be the perfect dog!

He is two years old, house broken and thanks to the rescue organization has all his shots and is neutered. The only thing we didn't like about him was his name: "Omelette"! We think Cooper is a much more dignified name for this dignified little cutie!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

This week's challenge at CAS-ual Fridays is to make a card no larger than 4"x4". This little card is 3"x5" and I think the smaller size is just right for the little Santa birdies from Penny Black's Winter Wonderland set. The other images are from Hero Arts' Merriest Wishes clear set. That swirly line is going to be quite useful as a branch, a hill, or just a place to hang onto for critters!

I am also entering this card in the "Anything Goes" challenge at Simply Less is More. You can find out how their challenges work by going here.

I love working with a smaller space than the usual A2 card. My friend Donna Mikasa is the queen of the mini-card and has often inspired me to consider using a smaller format. The smaller area really showcases the image!There's a 90 Minute Scramble over at the Hero Arts blog this afternoon at 1PM Central time. It's always a fun time and you're invited!

Friday, September 16, 2011

This is my entry for the sketch challenge at Lily Pad Cards sponsored by Hero Arts. I rotated the sketch onto its side and used the penguins as one of the "stripes". Love these little guys! This is one of those rare cards that ends up looking like the idea in your head!

You can find all the info about entering the challenge here.The Lily Pad design team has outdone themselves with their incredible use of Hero Arts Christmas stamps. It's worth slogging through the wetlands and bog to get to the pond just to see the inspiration cards!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Greetings to all of my wonderful and loyal Tiffany Doodles fans out there! I can't believe the summer is just about over, seems like it only just started! I for one am really looking forward to some falling leaves and cooler temperatures.

Today we are kicking off a 3 day Blog Hop! You will find inspiration along every stop! And of course, I have tons of prizes in store for you! Be sure to participate everyday by commenting on each post & following every blog to be eligible for all prizes.

The hop continues tomorrow starting at Tiffany Doodles! In order to qualify for all prizes you must:

participate everyday

comment on every participants post

follow every participants blog

Special Note: Make sure that your Blog and Email are listed in your Blogger profile for notification purposes. If your email is not visible on your profile make sure it is easy to find on your blog. Thanks!

While your hopping keep in mind the SALE we are having this weekend at the store!! All Bird and Flower Digital stamps are on sale for 25% off! No coupon necessary, discount will be taken at the register. Your welcome! =) PS. Even more sales listed below!

By participating daily in our Blog Hop you will be eligible for prizes! Lots of prizes! Total Prizes valued at OVER $220!! All winners will be chosen randomly. Everyday we will chose 3 winners. Chosen from the main TD blog. Your participation on the other blogs will be verified prior to announcement. If you have won you will be notified by email, so make sure you email is easy to find either in your comment, your blogger profile, or on your blog. All winners will be announced on the blog after the hop is over. Prizes will be awarded as follows:

On today's Hop we are featuring cards made with a lovely sketch made by Jenyfur at Torn Paper! And of course, all stamps throughout the blog hop are featured by Tiffany Doodles!

There are 2 ways to earn extra entries!!

1) You can earn extra entries for today's prize if you make a card with this sketch!

If you would like too, link your card through inlinkz on the main blog post.

Enter as many times as you wish! One entry per card submitted.

2) If your not up for making a card, you can write your own post

about our Blog Hop & Tiffany Doodles Digi stamps!

If you post about us you can earn 5 extra entries!!

Also submit your post to the inlinkz below!

Now that all the rules and explanations are taken care of, here is my interpretation of Jennyfur's sketch. I used the Tiffany Doodles digi image "Birthday Chick". The fun part of digi's is manipulating them; change the size, rotate them, make a mirror image ... whatever it takes to creat what you have in mind. Looks like there's going to be a party!!

I colored the chicks with copics, added some ball fringe for fun and used happy patterned paper! Thanks for taking part in the hop! Your next stop is Jessica. I'm hopping there now! Be sure to take part in tomorrow's hop, too, to be eligible for the great prizes!

September Sales

Besides the Blog Hop sale we have going on,
we are also having 2 other sales in the store!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Iit's the 7th of September and that means there is a new challenge at the Tiffany Doodles blog! The theme this month is "stitching".

This card was inspired by my blog friend Lin who quilts as well as doing wonderful things with paper piecing!

I cut squares of patterned paper and then cut them on the diagonal to make the "quilt" pieces and stitched them all back together on the sewing machine. The butterfly is a digi image from Tiffany Doodles and is part of a set called "Sweet Love". I printed the image out on one of the patterned papers I used for the background. Love his multi-colored look!

You don't have to use a Tiffany Doodles digi to enter the challenge, but she's got lots of freebie images available along with tutorials ranging from beginner on up! There are so many reasons to add digital images to your card making and scrapbooking. You can make them any size you want and you can have them delivered to your email within minutes!!

The challenge lasts for two weeks and the winner will enjoy a $10 shopping trip to Tiffany Doodles store. Check out the September sales while you're checking out the digi's!!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

It was love at first sight when I spotted this Gone Campin' set by Market Street Stamps! Reminded me of all the years we took the kids camping. Even the mosquito brought back memories! I paper pieced the little camping trailer and colored the other images with copics. I put some pearls in the sky; and a little button hubcap on the camper.

Here's another card I made using the Goin' Camping set. I will be entering this in the Lily Pad Cards color challenge, using moss, blush and cantaloupe color palette. The die cut is my new Nestie that I pre-ordered so long ago that I forgot about it. It's called Tear Drop Circles and I know I will be using it a lot!

We are having a lazy holiday weekend. No special plans, lots of doing what we feel like if we feel like it! Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Sally in England needed a stamp with a "lavender" image. She wanted to make lavender sachets. Judy in Alabama had a stamp like that, never used! Judy sent Sally the stamp. Sally sent Judy this lovely Thank You card and a lavender sachet.

Judy loves the aroma!! Feels good that an unloved stamp has found a good home.Thanks for stopping by!

Recently, I had the privilege of hosting an ATC swap on the Hero Arts blog. Thirteen paper artists participated and these are the ATC's we traded.

Artist's Trading Cards are a great way to share your talents with others. In a space about the size of a credit card, you can let your creative spirit loose! I am amazed at the variety and beauty of these mini works of art.

Currently we are in the process of making and trading ATC's with a Christmas theme. It is a pleasure to be connected with friends by way of art!

Hello and Welcome!

I'm Judy Jung, a transplant from Wisconsin to Northern Alabama. We settled here after five years of living full time in an RV and traveling the United States. Full time RV'ers call that "Livin' the Dream"!